Binbot three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this route from Bottesford to Bingham using public transport at both ends.Leaving Bottesford the route to Orston is along the road and the first section is unpleasant due to a constant stream of large lorries going in out of a skip/recycling facility and general traffic non of which show much consideration to the pedestrian(there is some verge but care is needed).Aslockton and beyond has some poor way marking(abbey lane new lane)Approaching Bingham the path becomes very indirect.Generally underfoot surfaces were reasonable with only a couple of muddy field edge sections,there were no access or obstruction issues.

I walked this route from Bottesford. I used the train to arrive at the hub, so it is ideally suited for this. I took a detour up Beacon Hill to begin with. The out and back is a short walk from the station and offers an excellent view of the Vale of Belvoir. The seating area at the top was developed as a centenary memorial for the First World War. On the route properly, it is a short walk to Bingham. The church has several impressive tombs to the Manners family who developed the nearby Belvoir Castle. In addition, near the gate, there are the graves of two aircrews killed in 1942. There are pubs and shops hereabouts. The walk to Orston is on the road, but there is plenty of verge to escape onto to avoid the traffic. From here there are paths on the flood banks of the river Smite and tributaries. Pretty muddy with surface clay, but not too deep. Aslockton also has shops for those in need of supplies. The path between Abbey Lane and New Lane is one of contrasts - half laid by a developer through new houses, and the rest picking its way through abandoned farmland. There are yellow posts to follow marking the route, but you need to look out carefully for them. After the level crossing the path threads its way along field margins to reach Bingham. Most of the route is a pleasant country walk, but it is not very direct - you need to be patient !.

I walked Bottesford to Bingham. The Bottesford meeting point would be better located in the village centre. Roads can't be avoided but a road used as a cycle route does not equate to pleasant walking. Diversions around field edges at Bingham make for a frustrating indirect walk. Some facilities along the way but may not be open. Fields mostly arable and headland paths so cattle unlikely.

Bottesford station remains on the edge of the village despite it ever expanding with more housing. Our route does take in or pass close to most services. The first section of road was very busy with heavy lorries, there is a verge but it became tiresome to keep stepping aside. A train delayed our crossing and the next section of road was a little quieter although bangs from the shooting club disturbed any tranquillity. There is a cafe here, all welcome. Sadly there is no direct alternative to avoid this road walk.

Orston has an inn just off route by the church but we were fortunate to have a resident of the village in our party so an offer of coffee at their home was most welcome. From here it's field walking along headlands that are left unploughed but, after all the rain it was muddy in places. All arable here so no cattle.

Cranmer's Mound and the Motte and Bailey add interest as we approach Aslockton. Thomas Cranwell was born here before reaching the dizzy and danger post of Archbishop in turbulent times. The inn here was open but not tested and a shop offers take away coffee. Plus a train station wow!

A pavement walk through the village leads to an excellent section of path through new housing but stops at the abandoned fields, perhaps awaiting the next stage of development. A section through the remains of the farm could have been improved, but wasn't.

The road offers a safe crossing of the busy rail line then back into fields and again headland paths which take an indirect route to the edge of Bingham. After avoiding contact with a school built across the line of the path our route crosses Crow Close the remains of a medieval settlement.

The route ends at the Butter Cross in the Market Place a fitting location close to buses, shops and an inn of the same name.

This was the route I was eventually forced to follow when attempting to review BinBot two, apart from the shortened line through Bottesford which I used to walk back from the station to the bus stop in the centre of the village after finishing (which I had to do because I walked the route on a rail strike day). Apart from the unavoidable road walk into Bottesford, it is mostly on good but unsurfaced field paths. The only minor accessibility issues are a couple of stiles and a slightly overgrown section on which the nettles are difficult to avoid, both on the way out of Bingham and unavoidable without a major rethink.

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